Smoked sausage stand

Fire made neighborhood hot spot too warm for comfort

ROSCOE VILLAGE — The autographed picture of Britney Spears is undamaged, the Viagra clock continues ticking, and the fryer where owner Doug Sohn cooks his french fries in duck fat survived unscathed.

But Hot Doug's, a popular hot-dog restaurant in Roscoe Village, will be closed indefinitely after a fire last weekend in an apartment upstairs severely damaged the building.

Sohn, who opened the restaurant three years ago and has since cultivated a large and loyal customer base, said he is looking for another storefront in the same area.

Neighbors can hardly wait.

"The whole neighborhood is freaking out," said Dave Schmitt, 37, who lives about a block from the restaurant, located at 2314 W. Roscoe St. "It's a cultural thing to do in Roscoe Village."

Sohn bills the restaurant as serving "the finest in encased meats." He has drawn local and national attention for his extensive sausage menu--from simple corn dogs and bratwurst to more elaborate offerings, such as last week's special: cognac-infused smoked pheasant sausage with sauce moutarde and truffle cheese.

A Fire Department spokesman said the blaze was started by a welder refurbishing one of the building's apartments. There was a wedding shower in progress in the restaurant when the fire broke out. Sohn said his business did not catch fire but had extensive smoke and water damage.

Several Madonna posters on the ceiling were a total loss. The fryer, however, was unharmed and, like Sohn, will be ready for business when Hot Doug's reopens at some point down the road.

"The duck fat will be OK," Sohn said. "Duck fat will survive anything."